Volodymyr Groysman: Government is ready to improve social standards and financing industries in compliance with economic growth

The Government has planned in the draft Budget for 2017 a 10% increase of social standards and expenditure along priority areas, and is prepared to enhance this funding when it complies with the level of economic growth demonstrated by the country. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in his opening statement at the Government session on Tuesday.

"We will ensure the enhancement of welfare standards. Yet by planned 10%, but we promise to use every opportunity to raise the standards as we did, for instance, this year", noted Volodymyr Groysman.

He highlighted that it had been planned to improve social standards by 5% in December, but the Government had managed to provide a 10% increase starting December 1.

The Government will ensure a growing tendency along all priorities determined in the draft Budget for 2017, said the Prime Minister, in particular increased funding for national security and defense, repair and reconstruction of roads, support of Ukrainian farmers.

There have also been envisaged higher wages to teachers, doctors, funding for the provision of citizens with medicines. In addition, decentralization process has been preserved – "this means that local budgets will have funds at their disposal", stressed Volodymyr Groysman.

"We are to lay in the budget what the current situation affords, but all the rest will depend on economic growth," he said.